The Victorian Government is providing $200 million over 4 years and $93.7 million ongoing to expand the Mental Health in Primary Schools program to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. This will support individual students, help teachers better identify and support at-risk students, and build relationships and referral pathways to local mental health services.
For more information about the program, watch this short video:
A whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing
Participating schools receive funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community. This means:
- building the capacity of school staff, in particular classroom teachers, to identify and support students with mental health concerns in the classroom
- supporting the school to create clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention
- coordinating targeted mental health support for students by working with regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and external agencies
- advocating for student voice and agency in their wellbeing and mental health needs.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders receive evidence-based training in mental health literacy, supporting student need, and building school capacity, and receive ongoing professional development through Communities of Practice. The training program is developed and facilitated by the University of Melbourne.
To learn more about the benefits of a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, watch this short video:
Supporting children's mental health in primary schools
The department recognises that good mental health in children is fundamental to their development, and that schools are the ideal platform for promoting good mental health, identifying early signs of mental health concerns, and supporting referrals where necessary.
The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System (the Royal Commission) highlighted that primary schools in particular provide opportunities to identify children with mental health and wellbeing challenges, who can then be referred to treatment, care and support.
By implementing this program, we are investing in the long-term mental health and wellbeing of today’s students, and tomorrow’s leaders.
Building the capacity, confidence and knowledge of educators
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders will build the capacity of school staff, in particular classroom teachers, to identify and support students with mental health concerns in the classroom, including by embedding evidence-based mental health strategies, interventions and programs.
Evidence-based approach
In partnership with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne, the department has been piloting the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in Victorian schools since 2020. In 2022 100 schools participated in the Pilot (90 government and 10 Catholic).
From 2023, the program will be expanded and implemented across Victoria over a staged rollout and by 2026, every government and low-fee non-government primary school will receive funding to employ a mental health and wellbeing leader (MHWL), with funding allocation based on school campus enrolments.
Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot evaluation
To ensure initiatives meet the needs of students, as well as school staff, parents, carers and the wider community, evaluations are commissioned to understand what’s working and where improvement or further investment is needed.
In 2022, the Victorian Department of Education engaged the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to undertake an evaluation of the Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and impact of the Mental Health Wellbeing Leader model in order to inform the expansion of the program to all schools by 2026.
Mental Health support during school holidays
Mental health support, resources and advice are available for students and families to access over the school holidays. Two fact sheets for students and families:
- support positive mental health and wellbeing of students
- identify signs students may need mental health support
- access available support.
These fact sheets are also available in 19 different languages.
To access translated factsheets, visit: mental health supports for students over school holidays.
Further information
For more information refer to the Mental Health in Schools page in the department's Policy and Advisory Library.
For further enquires, contact the Student Mental Health Branch by email: mentalhealth@education.vic.gov.au
Updated